ABSTRACT
The purposes of this chapter are: to discuss briefly, within the framework of current research, the need and rationale for a systems theory model of personality; to review the theory and research related to defining impulsiveness within a systems theory model; to review our current research on the biological bases of timing and rhythm performance related to defining personality traits. Personality traits including impulsiveness are defined within our research by profiles of biological, social, and psychological measures, the latter including both cognitive and behavioral measures (Barratt & Patton, 1983; Barratt, in press).
